I have the biggest grin on my face typing this, I got SO many reviews for the last chapter. I know that people are reading and not reviewing and that's okay but sometimes when you put so much effort into a story and you don't get any feedback it can be really frustrating, hearing all of your kind words and encouragement about this story really helps, it also helps me plan out the story so that you guys will enjoy it! Okay so here is the next chapter, I am just continuing on from the previous one showing how Bella feels after what was said. Now please don't worry CHAX will be happy again but every marriage has it's tough points and every couple fights, this is not going to lead to divorce! Okay so have a read and drop a review or PM, just a quick word if you like or you can even go all out and give me a full paragraph – it's up to you. Anything will do! Review, Dannielle xoxo

P.S: I also want to say YAY! I am so happy with the announcement of the 2012 Logie Nominations, Esther got nominated for a GOLD Logie and the Silver Logie for Most Popular Female Talent. And to Steve who was nominated for the Silver Logie for Most Popular New Male Talent and of course Home and Away was nominated for the Silver Logie for Most Popular Drama Series for the first time in a few years! Yay!

[DISCLAIMER/COPYRIGHT: I do not own any of the existing characters or storylines in Home and Away but any characters, storylines or ideas used in this story are strictly copyrighted and are not to be used by any other person/s without written permission of the author of this story. Thank-you.]

BELLA POV

I was heading up the beach at lightning speed, I could hear Cooper, Ruby and Casey behind me and knew that Heath and Bianca wouldn't be far behind but I wasn't going to stop, I didn't want anyone to see that façade that I had put up come crashing down. My breathing was all over the place and tears were filling my eyes, blurring my vision but I continued on walking past people and heading to the one place that I knew would help me. I slowed my pace as I reached Stuarts Point, my breathing was still so out of control and the tears had not stopped flowing but I had managed to lose everyone and that was the important thing. I could have my meltdown and go back to the house like everything was normal, except it wasn't, things were falling apart around me and I had no idea how to control it. It was different this time, when I first arrived in the bay I was just suffering panic attacks when people asked about the scar or I saw it but now I was dreaming about the fire, I was barely sleeping and the only time I could get any sleep was when Cooper was with me but I wasn't about to ask him to stay every night people would get suss about why he was there since they knew we weren't doing anything.

I wasn't sure what it was that I was going through but I was more than just anxiety, I had to keep this under control before anyone noticed something was wrong, I couldn't burden this family with my pathetic issues again. I sat on the bench at the lookout, staring out over the ocean I tried desperately to slow my breathing, I took deep breaths inhaling large amounts of oxygen. I wiped the tears from my face but more continued to fall, I continued to take deep breaths hoping that eventually it would work and I would go back to normal. Sure enough after a few minutes of deep breathing I felt myself returning to normal, my harsh and sharp breaths slowed to smooth and regular and the tears slowly began to slow. The still prickled my eyes but I blinked pushing them away as I looked out at the view, the sun glinting on the blue ocean sparkling in the glowing sun. A gently breeze kept me cool but not cold as the fluffy trees blew gently in the wind. I had no idea what time it was but I figured that soon enough one of the boys would work out I was here and come find me, I stood up and took a deep breath before turning around to head home, I stopped when I saw Cooper standing there looking at me sadly.

I threw my head back slightly "how long have you been here?" I asked "not long" he said walking towards me "I'm sorry for running off like that" I said as he pulled me into his arms "no don't be I get it" he said rubbing my back "where is everyone?" I asked into his chest "looking for you" he said leading me over to the chair "I should ring them and let them know I've found you" he said looking at me "no don't not yet" I said as he wrapped his arms around me, I couldn't control it anymore and I broke down. My façade had slipped away and now it was on show for anyone to see, he gently rocked me, not saying a word just letting me cry.

I pulled away looking at him, tears plastered all over my face, he lifted his hand to me and wiped my eyes "you okay now?" he asked gently "I screwed everything up" I sobbed "no you didn't, Charlie is just mad. She will get over it" he said his hand still resting on my cheek "yeah but what if she doesn't? What if she hates me forever?" I asked taking his hand in mine "she won't, no-one could ever hate you" he replied smirking, I laughed "you're sweet" I said playing with his hand "I being honest, Charlie will not hate you baby believe me. I can't imagine anyone hating you" he said "yeah well not everyone see me the way you do" I said tapping his hand lightly. He responded by pulling me closer to him, I looked up into his eyes, they always managed to make me melt not just the bright piercing blue but what I could see in them, I could see all his emotions even if he was trying to hide them. I lifted my head slightly so that our lips me as I kissed him gently, and the kiss quickly intensified.

Cooper was the first to pull away "you okay now?" he asked looking down at me "yeah, I'm good" I said yawning "tired?" he asked "mm, I didn't get much sleep last night" I said looking out at the view "come on we better get home" he said standing up and facing me his hand outstretched "urgh!" I moaned as I took his hand and he pulled me up "you know I just realised that I am only wearing my bikini!" I said laughing "don't worry your bag is in my car" he said kissing the top of my head.

BRAX POV

We had all arrived home after we decided that Cooper must of found her. Charlie was already home but she had locked herself in Mckenzie's nursery. I was sitting on the couch along with Ruby, Casey, Heath and Bianca all waiting for them to get back. The front door opened and Cooper walked in leading Bella behind him, their hands linked. Bella was carrying her beach bag and a paper bag from the diner "hey guys, we bought dinner" Bella said cheerfully. Heath, Casey and I stood to our feet "are you okay?" I asked, Bella looked at me weirdly "yeah fine" she said before heading into the kitchen leaving Cooper standing in front of us "she really alright?" I asked already half knowing the answer "on the outside maybe, but inside she's a mess" he said. We just nodded as he followed Bella into the kitchen.

COOPER POV

I was worried about Bella, after we left Stuart's Point she just pretended like nothing happened. The side of her that I saw when she was crying in my arms made my heart break, she was so vunerable and breakable I just didn't know what to do. The only side I had seen of her was this tough, feisty chick who had no trouble defending herself against anyone which I thought was incredibly hot but this other side of her also made her care about her even more. I couldn't get to sleep, it was only 11pm but after today I was tired, I just couldn't stop thinking if she was okay. The feeling I had for Bella had begun to scare me, she was just so different to every other girl that I had met and she was just so much fun. Even when we weren't together I couldn't stop thinking about her, the way she smiles, her sparkly green eyes, I knew that there was more to my feelings than I was prepared to admit, I was just scared about how she felt about me. I climbed out of bed and pulled on my jeans and jacket before grabbing my keys and heading to the one place I knew I would get to sleep.

I pulled up out the front of the house and all the lights were off, I pulled out my phone and called Bella, it rung four times before she picked up "mm, hello" she said wearily "hey" I whispered "Cooper?" she mumbled "yeah, I'm out the front" I answered "alright, I be there in a minute" she said and hung up. I got out of my car and headed to the door, a few seconds later I heard soft footsteps coming down the stairs, a bang and then Bella "son of a bitch!" she whispered loudly, I laughed as the door opened. On the other side stood Bella, one foot in her hand her hair slightly messed and flowing around her shoulders, she was wearing a pair of long grey and pink polka dot pyjama pants and a grey bra, she had her black silk dressing gown over the top "hey" she whispered waving me in, I kissed her softly as she grabbed my hand and pulled me upstairs.

BELLA POV

Cooper was gone when I woke up the next morning but I wasn't mad, he just wanted to get home before his parents woke up. I headed downstairs for breakfast, my dressing gown over the top of my bra and pyjama pants, I walked into the kitchen to find everyone sitting at the table. They all looked at me as I entered the room, Charlie briefly looked my way before returning to feeding Mckenzie "morning" I mumbled as I grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee before grabbing a piece of toast and walking out the back door to the deck. I sat under the gazebo at the bottom of the garden eating my breakfast and listening to the sounds of the waves crashing against the sand. "BELLA!" I heard Ruby yell from the back door, sighing I took my mug and headed back to the house, I walked through the door to find everyone was still sitting at the table "Cooper's on the phone for you" Ruby said "oh thanks" I said as I took the receiver from her "hey" I said into the phone "hey bub, sorry for leaving without saying goodbye this morning" he replied "nah that's okay" I told him honestly "hey I have something to tell you, you wanna meet me at the diner in an hour?" he asked "ah yeah okay, is everything alright?" I asked "ah yeah, I just have something to tell you that's all" he said "okay see you then" I replied hanging up and putting my cup in the sink.

I walked into the diner an hour later wearing a pair of light blue denim short shorts and a bright orange loose top and my white bikini underneath and my pair of bronze braided thongs. I saw a very nervous looking Cooper sitting in the corner, I smiled at him and headed to the counter. "Hi Leah, can I get a flat white, take away" I said "yeah sure, how are you? You look nice today" she said as she began fixing my order "oh thanks, yeah I'm alright, I'll be better once I find out why my boyfriend is so nervous" I said nodding towards Cooper "ah yeah he's been in here for the last ten minutes" she said as she finished my coffee. "thanks" I said handing her the money and walking over to Cooper. "hey cutie" I said kissing him "what's up you look petrified" I asked sitting beside him "hey, oh no it's just…" he said trailing off "Cooper spit it out" I said sipping my coffee "well my dad has decided that we are going on vacation for a while" he said. I just nodded "okay, where are you going?" I asked "Hawaii" he said "ooh pretty, sounds like you'll have a great time. Is that what you're so nervous about?" I asked "no, the next part is" he replied looking up at me.

"okay so tell me" I said getting slightly nervous "well we are going for a month but we are going with another family" he said, I nodded "my ex-girlfriend's family" he said. I just blinked, I wasn't entirely sure what to say "um okay" I said "yeah…" he said "well I trust you" I said, he looked up at me "you do?" he asked, I laughed "yeah of course!" I said leaning over and kissing him "come on we'll go for a walk" I said taking his hand and pulling him out of the restaurant. "so when are you going?" I asked "ah not for another month or so" he said slipping his arm around my waist "cool, what made your parents want to go away so suddenly?" I asked "ah well my dad reckons it will be the only time he gets off for a while considering, the case he is working on" he said trailing off "oh Ryan's case?" I asked "yeah" Cooper muttered.

We continued walking, chatting about little things "shit" Cooper said "what?" I asked looking up at him "Ella" was all he said "who?" I asked confused stopping and turning to face him "that girl up there is my ex Ella and my mum" he said looking ahead. I followed his gaze to see his mother and sister walking with a tall, thin girl with a beautiful bronze tan, she had long wavy brown hair with blonde streaks that ended around her bellybutton and as they got closer I could see she had caramel brown eyes. She was wearing a hot pink boob tube with a tight fitting skirt pulled up to just under her bust, it finished at the top of her thighs leaving nothing to the imagination, she had gladiator sandals on her feet. I raised my eyebrows and looked at him "that is you ex?" I asked, he just nodded. Natayaliah came running along the grass towards us "BELLA!" she yelled excitedly, she leaped into my arms as I caught her "hey pretty princess" I said hugging her as she settled on my hip "we going to Hawaii!" she cried throwing her arms in the air almost hitting Cooper in the face, I laughed as I tapped her nose "I know Cooper told me, aren't you a lucky girl!" I said as she nodded her head fiercely.

Mrs Harding and Ella reached us "Hi Bella" Mrs Harding said "hi Mrs Harding" I said as I smiled at Tayliah "now dear call me Liz" she said smiling "this is Ella" she said gesturing to the girl beside her, she looked me up and down as she lifted her sun glasses on to the top of her, she raised her eyebrows before plastering an obviously fake smile on her face "hi! Nice to meet you" she said cheerfully "yeah nice to meet you too" I replied "Bella?" Tayliah asked me "mm" I replied looking at her "where are you and Coopie going?" she asked "we were going to the beach" I replied "oooh can I come!" she squealed, Ella butted in "I thought you were going to show me your new doll's house" she said as I put Tayliah on the grass "no! I wanna go with Coopie and Bella!" she cried folding her arms across her chest "Natayaliah Elizabeth Harding, be polite!" Liz told her daughter "but mummy please!" Natayaliah begged "mum it's cool I don't mind, do you?" he asked checking with me "no not at all!" I said honestly smiling at Liz "well… only if you're sure?" she said "yeah honestly it's fine, we'll have fun hey princess" I said tapping the little girls chin "yeah!, yeah!, yeah!" Tayliah said jumping up and down "well alright then" Liz said smiling. I saw Ella roll her eyes and look out towards the ocean, I just smiled to myself.

So what do you think of Ella? Do you think she is here to cause trouble? Tell me what you think. I am really motoring along with this story and at the moment I have no idea when I will wrap it up or even if I will do a sequel! I have no current plans to end this story so I just hope you are all willing to keep reading and reviewing, I really want to hear how you are liking Bella and Cooper's relationship and what you want to come for them! I know people are not looking forward to Cooper distancing himself from Bella but I promise I will try and not make him a jerk, with the reasons I have planned you should be able to see his point of view! Also I know people said that they preferred to have just the Braxton's POV's in the story but I think that adding in one of Cooper's every now and then helps you see his feelings and what he thinks and it just helps with the story and to give you more of an insight into their relationship and hopefully it helps you see that Bella is not just some 'fling' to him. I have written chapter 48 already and that will be up soon, I will start chapter 49 after I finish this, I try and write ahead so I always have something to update then I go back and write my author notes! Anyway please review and tell me what you think! Dannielle xoxo

Next on Picture Perfect:

Charlie seeks help to deal with her issues of letting go.